Aerial torpedo



W. T. OCONNOR. AERIAL ToRPEDo.

APPLICATION FILED MAY I0, 1920.

Patend Oct. i2, M20..

INVEN TOR.

A TTORNE Y.

"Unirse d WILLIAi/i fr. oco'ivivon., or JACKSON, KENTUCKY.

AERIAL Tonrnno.

Specification of Letters Patent. i Patented' oet.A 12,' 1920.

Application led vMay 10, 1920. Serial No. 380,196. v Y

ment-s in aerial torpedoes including in combinationa main body structure, means to support the body structure in flight and means to propel the body portion in .connection with other means and mechanisms to regulate the explosion of the torpedo.

Various other objects an :dadvantageslor my invention will become apparent during the continuance of the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of my invention as completely assembled.

Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal cross` sec tion of the body proper of the torpedo.'

In reducing my invention to practice, T first provide a body portion in the form of a shell or casing 10 which is preferably constructed of metal such as malleable iron, the

Ysame tapering from its central portion to pointed end portions as clearly shown in F ig. 2 of the drawings. TNithin the casing Y 10 are arranged partition members 11, 12

and 13 which divide the same in four coinpartments 14, 15, 16 and 17. Thevpartititon i compartment 23 and connected with the motor by means of Vwires 26 while the compartment 22 is provided with a highly reinforced carrier 27 which supports and carries a time fuse 28. The shellrlO is provided with an opening 29 oppositethe time fuse 28 for the purpose that willv presently appear.

A sleeve 30 extends through the compartment 17 through the lon Oitudinall l partition 13 and is opened to the forward end ofthe shell 10 as clearly shown in Fig. 2. This sleeve accommodates the drive shaft 31 which extends from the motor 24. Y In order to support the shaft 31 suitable bearings 32 and 33 are provided in the sleeve 30.

The projecting end of the shaft 31 carries a driving propeller 34 of conventional construction, the same being either of the two ory four bladed type, such as occasion may require. y

it its rear end with a wind guide 35 which may be secured in place by means of fastening members 36.

rThroughout its length the shell 10 is prothe shell 10 is provided vided with suitably spaced fastening members 37 to which are attached other fastening members carried by the gas bag 38. When inflated, the gas bag is designed to support the torpedo while in flight.

It is contemplated to inflate the gas bag 38 with a very light explosive gas and to lill the compartments 16 and 17 with T.V N. T. such as shown at 39.

Tn operation when the gas bag 38 is in- Hated to av proper degree the motor 2-1 is y startedto operate the propeller 34 and the torpedo released, the time fuse 28 having first,` been adjusted to the desired degree. The gas bag 3,8 causes" the from the ground or from the tower from which it is released while the propeller 34 propels the same forwardly and the guide 35 directs the 'same in Hight. The vexploding of the timefuse 28 sets off the gas bag 38. This takes away the supporting means for the torpedo and the rear end of the torpedo being the heavie'rrcauses the torpedo to turn into a vertical position and fall to the ground rear end first. The percussion cap 19y explodes upon Contact with the ground thus causing an explosion of the entire torpedo. Y

il] hat is claimed is: f

1. Tn a torpedo of the character described a body portion containing an lexplosive material, a gas bag to support said body portion in flight, `means to propelsaid body portion, means to explode said gas bag at a predetermined time, and a percussion cap to explode the explosiveV -material in said body portion upon contact with the ground.

2. ln a device of the character described torpedo to rise i a body portion, explosive material in said in said body portion to explode said explobody portion, a propeller to propel said sive material upon Contact with the ground. l0

body portion in flight, means to drive said ln testimony whereof l a'ix my signature propeller, means to support said body porin presence of two Witnesses.

tion in flight including the gas bag eontain- TWILLIAM T. OCONNOR. ing a light explosive gas, means carried by Witnesses: l

said body portion to explode said gas at a CURT. E. BoLIN,

predetermined time, and a percussion cap ALFRED L. MARCUM. 

